Rest areas in highway gas stops ‘mandatory’

The ministry wants these highway facilities to conform to international standards for parking, lighting, rest, eating areas and other services.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb has issued mandatory regulations for municipalities to ensure gas stations on highways linked to other Gulf states have world class rest areas, drinking water and mechanical and cargo services for trucks.

The ministry wants these highway facilities to conform to international standards for parking, lighting, rest, eating areas and other services. A recent study revealed that most facilities on highways linking Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries do not meet these standards.

The ministry has divided rest areas along these highways into three categories. The first is for major stations that include several services and independent parking for light and heavy vehicles. The second includes secondary rest areas for short periods; and the third is for trucks drivers to stop for a short time to verify cargo documentation. The regulations stipulate that there should be a maximum distance of 100 km between major rest and services areas, 50 km between secondary ones, and 30 km between truck parking areas. There should not be more than 60 minutes between each rest area.

The ministry has ordered that rest areas must be in suitable areas to achieve maximum safety and comfort, have sections for drinking water and fitted with electronic monitors to notify passengers about weather conditions and traffic movement.